Hope

Chapter 18

Hopes POV
It's been a couple weeks since my surgery, and I've been doing good. I started working again one week ago, and let me tell ya, I've been working my butt off. I still need to pay for that stupid felony. I've had 2 private therapy classes, and I think they went well..? I've been having trouble with chemo though. It's really taking a toll out of me. I need to stop focusing on everything else, and start focusing on my cancer. I told my mom the other day....And she's still crying. I hate seeing her cry, especially after all she's been through.
"Ok, everyone take a seat. We are not going in a circle today, find a partner and explain your story to them." Pops said. I looked at Luke and he did the same.
"Hey Hope."He said smiling.
"Hey Luke!" I smiled also.
"So what's your story?" He smirked.
"Well you see, my story is a little different than everyone else's." I said.
"And why is that?" He asked.
"Because I'm a little different." I said.
"I am too Hope, we all have something about us that's makes us different. We all have something that we did that we now regret." he stated.
"I have many things to regret." I stated, and I do.
"We are very alike Hope." Luke said.
"How?" I asked.
"I was a crack head way back when." He said. Wait, what?
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes, I was a horrible person." He said.
"Wow, same." I said.
"Cancers helped me snap out of that, and back into reality, you know?" He asked.
"Oh I know, and that's how I feel." I said nodding.
"Keep holding on Hope, ok? It can get hard, with chemo and stuff, but don't let yourself fall. You're doing so well, don't fall into a trap you can't get out of." He said.
"Thanks Luke. And I will, because it's all or nothing, and if I'm gonna beat this cancer, I need it all." I said.
..............
Great! Throwing up since 3 am is always a welcoming surprise.
"Hope, you okay?" My dad asked.
"Ya I'm good,just the usual." I smiled.
"You're doing so well Hope. I'm truly proud of you." My dad said smiling bright.
"Thanks dad, I'm trying, really trying to be better, smarter, clearer in the head, you know?" I asked.
"And you are succeeding in your tasks." He said. My dad is proud of me?
"That's the plan." I felt really happy. I feel proud of myself, I feel strong. I'm learning to appreciate life for once. I'm learning to deal with problems in a healthy way.
"Okay well try to get sleep." My dad kissed my cheek and said I love you.
"I love you too dad." I smiled. And this smile was real. I was almost there, so close. I can see it, I can see the mountain peak.
.........
"Would that be all?" I smiled asking.
"Yes, thank you!" The costumer stated.
"Hey, Hope!!!" My new boss angrily yelled.
"Yes sir?" I tried sounding sincere. I don't want to lose my cool.
"What is this?" He asked in a rude tone of voice.
"What sir?" I looked and saw green beans, yep, just green beans. Literally, there's nothing wrong with these green, slim pieces of veggie.
"These green beans are soggy! Too soggy for consumption..." He muttered idiot under his breath. Who does he think he is. He's about to get it. I am going to kill this son of a -
"I'm sorry sir, but I'm not the cook. Maybe you can speak to Alejandro? He cooks the food, I just serve. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but I had nothing to do with the situation." I couldn't believe I just said that. I would have this guy in a choke hold back I'm the day.
"Whatever, get back to work!" He said.
"Yes sir." I said saluting. Haha, I'm funny.
"Yes mam, what would you like." I said smiling again confidence never left me.
...........
"Ug, hard day at work." I got in bed. my dad was sitting on the couch.
"You have chemo tomorrow darling." he said as I sighed.
"I know, here dad I have... 2,500 so far." I said giving him the money for my 'felony'.
"Wow sweets your working your butt off!" He said.
"I'm trying." I then slipped in bed, and fell asleep.
......
"Hey everyone! Sit down and we will start with....Hope." Pops said as I sat down for therapy classes.
"Uh... Well I'm working really hard to pay for my ten grand felony fee. I hate my new boss, yet remain professional. My chemo is getting worse, and I'm puking like 24/7." I laughed, then everyone laughed. We went through everyone and therapy was over. Me and Luke are going to lunch together.
"So how you doing?" I asked as I ate my burger.
"I'm doing well. I'm feeling good, better." He said. My goal is to make Luke 'okay'. He said a while ago he wasn't okay, and my goal was to get him where he got me.
"Good! Just keep swimming Luke, you're gonna be okay, and I'm gonna make sure of that." I said truthfully.
"Thanks Hope, but I'm hopeless." He said.
"I'm right here." Joking around, he then laughed so hard, he fell on the ground. Goal completed: make Luke laugh. He seems so much better since I met him, and he progresses every time I see him. if I were to die now, right now, I wouldn't care, because I would die happy, surrounded by people I love and care about.